Single-Use Disposable Mask

ABSTRACT

Disposable masks for customers to wear during salon or spa services are disclosed, including how they are used and designed. These single-use masks are also able to be worn on airplanes and trains for shorter trips, along with large events like concerts or sporting events. Grocery stores and other crowded shopping areas can also provide them to shoppers on an as needed basis. Specifically, single-use face masks are disclosed that include: a base material comprising a front side, a back side, and an edge, wherein the base material is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material coupled to the back side of the base material at or near the edge, wherein the adhesive material is compatible with skin; and wherein the face mask is removable and disposable.

This United States Utility Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/030532 entitled “Disposable Mask for Salon and Spa Services” filed on May 27, 2020, which is commonly-owned and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

The field of the subject matter are single-use disposable masks for customers or individuals to wear during salon or spa services, on an airplane, in a store, or at a large event, such as concerts or sporting events.

BACKGROUND

Recent pandemics and the fear of illness has resulted in consumers staying at home, sheltering in place, and fearing going to the salon or spa for services, such as facials, haircuts, hair coloring, shaves, and a number of different services. Given that it is impossible to socially or physically distance during a spa or salon service, consumers and the salon professionals must wear protective gear and masks.

A typical and conventional mask covers the mouth and nose, has elastic fasteners that either wrap around the ears or the back of the wearer's head, and is made of a material that is designed to reduce or eliminate the transmission of droplets from a wearer's mouth or nose or into a wearer's mouth or nose. The choice of the material of the mask determines how effective that mask will be in protecting the wearer and those around him or her.

It is clear that this conventional mask design will not be effective for use in salon services. A Japanese company—BN, Co.—describes the development of a conventional design mask with silicone adhesive strips that adhere the mask to the face without the use of elastic straps around the head or ears. (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSLtL-qWKM8) This design is very similar to one that is currently being used by a salon owner in Pinkerton, Ohio. (see https://www.10tv.com/article/pickerington-salon-owner-creates-stringless-masks-protect-clients-2020-may) Both of these designs take a conventional face mask, remove the elastic strips and replace them with two adhesion points on the right and left of the mask itself, so that the mask sticks to the skin of the wearer's face. These designs—while attempting to solve the problem—introduce their own design issues that are deficient.

First, the left and right sides of these masks are too close to the hairlines of the wearer to be appropriate for salon use. As an example, if the salon customer is a man, it is going to be difficult to trim or shave the sideburns on the face without having to lift up or remove part of the mask to do it. Second, these masks are secured to the face on the right and left of the mask but nowhere else. There are gaps next to the nose and potentially under the chin where droplets could travel. Third, it is really important that the design is disposable. This design feature is not incidental or just an “obvious evolution” of the other adhesive masks. The Ohio salon owner makes it clear that she wants her mask to be washable and reusable. If the person washing the mask doesn't do a good job or misses it in the wash, that mask is still contaminated.

Therefore, there is a need for a new mask design that can be used in a spa or salon, will protect both the wearer and the spa/salon professional, and is absolutely disposable with no consideration that it might be able to be reused. These single-use masks should also be able to be worn on airplanes and trains for shorter trips, along with large events like concerts or sporting events. Businesses should be able to easily provide them to customers or shoppers when they need to without being cost inefficient.

SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

Disposable masks for customers to wear during salon or spa services are disclosed, including how they are used and designed. These single-use masks are also able to be worn on airplanes and trains for shorter trips, along with large events like concerts or sporting events. Grocery stores and other crowded shopping areas can also provide them to shoppers on an as needed basis.

Specifically, single-use face masks are disclosed that include: a base material comprising a front side, a back side, and an edge, wherein the base material is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material coupled to the back side of the base material at or near the edge, wherein the adhesive material is compatible with skin; and wherein the face mask is removable and disposable.

Additionally contemplated are methods of dispensing a single-use face mask, comprising: providing a continuous roll of at least two single-use face masks, having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge of a single-use face mask is perforatably coupled to the second edge of a second single-use face mask; providing a roll mechanism; and inserting the roll mechanism in the continuous roll of at least two single-use face masks. In some embodiments, the roll mechanism coupled with the continuous roll of at least two single-use face masks is inserted in a container, wherein the container has at least one opening where the single-use face masks can be dispensed.

In other embodiments, methods of dispensing a single-use face mask, comprise: providing a stack of at least two single-use face masks, wherein each single-use mask has a top side and a bottom side, wherein each single-use face mask has at least two edges; and wherein the single-use mask comprises a strip of exposed adhesive that is located on the bottom side near an edge to form an adhesive side; coupling each single-use face mask to another single-use face mask by applying the adhesive side of the first single-use face mask to a non-adhesive side of the second face mask; and inserting the stack into a dispensing mechanism, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an opening where a user can retrieve a single-use face mask.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a contemplated embodiment with a base material 110 having a front side (not shown), a back side 120, and an edge 125, wherein the base material 110 is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material 150 coupled to the back side 120 of the base material 110 at or near the edge 125.

FIG. 2 shows a contemplated embodiment with a base material 210 having a front side 205, a back side (not shown), and an edge 225, wherein the base material 210 is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material (not shown).

FIG. 3 shows the contemplated embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 on the face 360 of a wearer 375.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the contemplated embodiment in FIG. 3 from the right side 480 and the left side 580 of the wearer 475.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show contemplated shapes for the single-use mask, including oval 610 (FIG. 6) and triangular 710 (FIG. 7).

A square design 810 is also contemplated and is shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, a roll 900 of single-use masks 910 are shown, wherein the masks 910 have a front side 920 and a back side 930 (not shown in FIG. 9A), wherein the back side has an adhesive material 940 (shown as dashes in FIG. 9A to represent that they are on the back side 930) that is covered by a removable backing 950. In FIG. 9B the removable backing 950 can be seen with the underlaying adhesive material 940 shown in dashes.

In FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, a dispensing system 1000 of single-use masks 1010 are shown, wherein the masks 1010 have a front side 1020 and a back side 1030, wherein the back side has an adhesive material 1040 that is covered in part by a removable backing 1050. The single-use masks 1010 can be separated or dispensed in the same way tissues or post-it notes are dispensed, in that they can be flat 1005 or pop-up style 1007. Part of the adhesive material 1040 may be exposed in order to couple it with the underlying single-use mask to aid in pulling it up and through the dispenser opening 1080, so that the next customer or user can access it. In other embodiment, the single-use masks 1010 may be coupled together in a way that the exposed adhesive material is not necessary in order to pull up the underlying single-use mask.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A new mask design has been developed that can be used in a spa or salon, will protect both the wearer and the spa/salon professional, and is absolutely disposable with no consideration that it might be able to be reused. These single-use masks should also be able to be worn on airplanes and trains for shorter trips, along with large events like concerts or sporting events. Event organizers and businesses can make these single-use masks available to consumers and attendees who don't have a mask and who may be at risk for illness transmission.

Disposable masks for customers to wear during salon or spa services are disclosed, including how they are used and designed. These single-use masks should also be able to be worn on airplanes and trains for shorter trips, along with large events like concerts or sporting events. Event organizers and businesses can make these single-use masks available to consumers and attendees who don't have a mask and who may be at risk for illness transmission.

In additional embodiments, contemplated single-use masks may be used in medical facilities, doctor's offices, hospitals, or emergency rooms in order to quickly provide a smaller footprint of facial coverage to a patient over a traditionally sized face mask or in an instance where utilizing ear straps is not feasible for the patient.

Specifically, single-use face masks are disclosed that include: a base material comprising a front side, a back side, and an edge, wherein the base material is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material coupled to the back side of the base material at or near the edge, wherein the adhesive material is compatible with skin; and wherein the face mask is removable and disposable.

In contemplated embodiments, the adhesive material is coupled to the back side of the base material in order to provide at least four points of adhesion between the adhesive material and a face of a wearer. In other contemplated embodiments, the adhesive material is coupled to the back side of the base material in order to provide continuous adhesion between the adhesive material and a face of a wearer.

As described herein, in some contemplated embodiments, the adhesive material is cosmetic grade. In other embodiments, a contemplated adhesive material comprises a silicone-based or silicone adhesive.

As described herein, in some contemplated embodiments, the base material comprises a shape. In contemplated embodiments, the shape is square, round, oval, rectangular, triangular, or a combination thereof.

As described herein, a contemplated base material is fully water-resistant, fully product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof. It should be understood that some applications of contemplated single-use masks require a breathable material that is not necessarily liquid-resistant or product-resistant. Other embodiments may require that the mask be both liquid-resistant/water-resistant and breathable or product-resistant and breathable. The materials that are chosen to construct the base material and other components will be in line with those requirements or desirable attributes.

To that end, it is contemplated that embodiments may comprise breathable silicone, paper, bamboo, synthetic material, hemp, or a combination thereof. It is not necessary that the base material be medical grade, but in some embodiments, a medical grade base material, such as N95 standard material, may be desirable or necessary.

FIG. 1 shows a contemplated embodiment with a base material 110 having a front side (not shown), a back side 120, and an edge 125, wherein the base material 110 is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material 150 coupled to the back side 120 of the base material 110 at or near the edge 125.

FIG. 2 shows a contemplated embodiment with a base material 210 having a front side 205, a back side (not shown), and an edge 225, wherein the base material 210 is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material (not shown).

FIG. 3 shows the contemplated embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 on the face 360 of a wearer 375. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the contemplated embodiment in FIG. 3 from the right side 480 and the left side 580 of the wearer 475. It should be understood that contemplated embodiments adhere to the skin of a wearer and do not require the use of elastic strips to go around the ears, head, or neck.

A contemplated salon mask comprises at least 4 points of adhesion between the mask and the face, is designed to seal around the mouth and nose, and is made from a safe, but disposable material.

Contemplated mask shapes can be any suitable shape, as long as the mask covers the nose and mouth without extending significantly into the cheek area or under the chin. This is represented in the Figures, but it should be understood that these are specifically designed to maximize disease transmission protection and maximize the amount of the face that is exposed to the salon or spa professional for services. FIGS. 6 and 7 show contemplated shapes for the single-use mask, including oval 610 (FIG. 6) and triangular 710 (FIG. 7). A square design 810 is also contemplated, and is shown in FIG. 8.

Contemplated adhesive strips and contact points are made from a similar adhesive material as is used for fastening hair extensions or a similar adhesive material that may be used to secure a strapless bra to the skin, such as a silicone adhesive or cosmetic grade adhesive. It should be understood that a suitable adhesive is one that is safe to use on the skin, can be lifted and reapplied, if necessary, without damage to the skin, and will not cause irritation to the skin, if it is used for several hours.

The adhesive strips or contact points are protected with peel away paper or backing strips, similar to a band-aid. Therefore, when a customer comes into a spa or salon, even if he or she is wearing his or her own mask, the customer can take that mask off and put this one on for the purpose of receiving the spa or salon service. This new design gives the spa professional complete access to the hair line and facial hair line, while at the same time making it safe for both the consumer and the salon professional. In some embodiments, the adhesive strip goes below the lower lip and not on the chin. It should be understood that contemplated single-use masks are large enough to cover the openings of the nose and mouth, while at the same time are small enough, so that someone can get a spa or salon treatment without interfering with the mask.

This new design accommodates several types and sizes of faces (adult, child, man, or woman), and allows everyone to feel safer during the treatment. Contemplated designs, as described herein, also accommodate spa services that include Botox injections and other similar medical cosmetic procedures. Contemplated embodiments are generally about 3-4 inches wide and 3-5 inches in height.

Contemplated designs are disposable and meant to be cost effective enough for service providers to supply to their customers at each visit. This concept is similar to paper necks strips which are required by law in some states for stylists to use under cutting capes, where the neck strip is to prevent cape coming into contact with multiple patrons necks to prevent communicable skin conditions.

In addition, some embodiments can be designed to be contained in a small purse pack or pocket pack, much like tissues can be held in, to make them portable and easy to access and use in a number of situations that may come up during a day or while traveling.

Contemplated single-use masks or face coverings are cost effective and disposable. In some embodiments, contemplated designs are made more cost effective by being made of recyclable or biodegradable material, which is disposable and contains water and/or product-resistant properties that are currently used in more conventional masks, such as those used to protect health professionals. Contemplated base material may comprise bamboo material, paper material, or a synthetic material. Contemplated base materials may also comprise a combination of materials.

Contemplated embodiments may be situated in a single stack within a container, so that they can be removed one at a time like a stack of paper. Contemplated embodiments may also be aligned or positioned like tissues in a box or post-it notes in a dispenser. In the latter instances, there would be one point of adhesion that couples one single-use mask to the one immediately under it in the dispenser, while the other points of adhesion are covered with removable backings. Covering the other points of adhesion ensure that it is not difficult to pull out or dislodge the top single-use mask from the one under it. These embodiments are shown in FIG. 9.

In other contemplated embodiments, each single-use mask may be made on a roll with a perforated edge, where it is attached to another single-use mask. The holder may have a spool inside where the masks are dispensed and a user would just separate the single-use mask from another one by breaking or compromising the perforated edge. Once the single-use mask is separated, a peelable backing can be removed to expose the adhesive material. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 10.

Specifically, contemplated methods of dispensing a single-use face mask comprise: providing a continuous roll of at least two single-use face masks, having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge of a single-use face mask is perforatably coupled to the second edge of a second single-use face mask; providing a roll mechanism; and inserting the roll mechanism in the continuous roll of at least two single-use face masks. In some embodiments, the roll mechanism coupled with the continuous roll of at least two single-use face masks is inserted in a container, wherein the container has at least one opening where the single-use face masks can be dispensed. As used herein, “perforatably coupled” means that two single-use face masks are coupled together with a perforation between the two that allows them to be held together and easily detached from one another by a user.

In other embodiments, methods of dispensing a single-use face mask, comprise:

providing a stack of at least two single-use face masks, wherein each single-use mask has a top side and a bottom side, wherein each single-use face mask has at least two edges; and wherein the single-use mask comprises a strip of exposed adhesive that is located on the bottom side near an edge to form an adhesive side; coupling each single-use face mask to another single-use face mask by applying the adhesive side of the first single-use face mask to a non-adhesive side of the second face mask; and inserting the stack into a dispensing mechanism, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an opening where a user can retrieve a single-use face mask.

FIG. 9A and 9B and FIG. 10A and 10B shows contemplated sheets as provided on a roll (9A and 9B) or in a dispenser (10A and 10B). In FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, a roll 900 of single-use masks 910 are shown, wherein the masks 910 have a front side 920 and a back side 930 (not shown in FIG. 9A), wherein the back side has an adhesive material 940 (shown as dashes in FIG. 9A to represent that they are on the back side 930) that is covered by a removable backing 950. In FIG. 9B the removable backing 950 can be seen with the underlaying adhesive material 940 shown in dashes. It should be understood that adhesive material 940 in these embodiments all have removable backing 950 covering them. The masks 910 can be separated at the scores 960 to pull off each mask easily. A dispensing system 1000 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 9A to indicate that the roll may be placed in that system for continuous dispensing.

In FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, a dispensing system 1000 of single-use masks 1010 are shown, wherein the masks 1010 have a front side 1020 and a back side 1030, wherein the back side has an adhesive material 1040 that is covered in part by a removable backing 1050. The single-use masks 1010 can be separated or dispensed in the same way tissues or post-it notes are dispensed from a box or other suitable dispensing container, in that they can be flat 1005 or pop-up style 1007. Part of the adhesive material 1040 may be exposed in order to couple it with the underlying single-use mask to aid in pulling it up and through the dispenser opening 1080, so that the next customer or user can access it. In other embodiment, the single-use masks 1010 may be coupled together in a way that the exposed adhesive material is not necessary in order to pull up the underlying single-use mask. The adhesive material that is not needed to adhere the mask to the underlying mask is covered by a removable strip, similar to the embodiments shown in FIG. 9B.

Thus, specific embodiments, methods of producing and using single-use disposable protective masks have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure herein. Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. 

1. A single-use face mask, comprising: a base material comprising a front side, a back side, and an edge, wherein the base material is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material coupled to the back side of the base material at or near the edge, wherein the adhesive material is compatible with skin; and wherein the face mask is removable and disposable.
 2. The single-use face mask of claim 1, wherein the adhesive material is coupled to the back side of the base material in order to provide at least four points of adhesion between the adhesive material and a face of a wearer.
 3. The single-use face mask of claim 2, wherein the adhesive material is coupled to the back side of the base material in order to provide continuous adhesion between the adhesive material and a face of a wearer.
 4. The single-use face mask of claim 1, wherein the adhesive material is cosmetic grade.
 5. The single-use face mask of claim 1, wherein the adhesive material comprises a silicone-based or silicone adhesive.
 6. The single-use face mask of claim 1, wherein the base material comprises a shape.
 7. The single-use face mask of claim 6, wherein the shape is square, round, oval, rectangular, triangular, or a combination thereof.
 8. The single-use face mask of claim 1, wherein the base material is fully water-resistant, fully product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof.
 9. The single-use face mask of claim 1, wherein the base material is fully water-resistant, fully product-resistant and breathable.
 10. The single-use face mask of claim 1, wherein the base material comprises breathable silicone, paper, bamboo, synthetic material, hemp, or a combination thereof.
 11. A method of dispensing a single-use face mask, comprising: providing a continuous roll of at least two single-use face masks, having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge of a single-use face mask is perforatably coupled to the second edge of a second single-use face mask; providing a roll mechanism; and inserting the roll mechanism in the continuous roll of at least two single-use face masks.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the roll mechanism coupled with the continuous roll of at least two single-use face masks is inserted in a container, wherein the container has at least one opening where the single-use face masks can be dispensed.
 13. A method of dispensing a single-use face mask, comprising: providing a stack of at least two single-use face masks, wherein each single-use mask has a top side and a bottom side, wherein each single-use face mask has at least two edges; and wherein the single-use mask comprises a strip of exposed adhesive that is located on the bottom side near an edge to form an adhesive side; coupling each single-use face mask to another single-use face mask by applying the adhesive side of the first single-use face mask to a non-adhesive side of the second face mask; and inserting the stack into a dispensing mechanism, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an opening where a user can retrieve a single-use face mask.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the at least two single-use masks comprises: a base material comprising a front side, a back side, and an edge, wherein the base material is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material coupled to the back side of the base material at or near the edge, wherein the adhesive material is compatible with skin; and wherein the face mask is removable and disposable.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the at least two single-use masks comprises: a base material comprising a front side, a back side, and an edge, wherein the base material is at least partially water-resistant, at least partially product-resistant, breathable, or a combination thereof; and an adhesive material coupled to the back side of the base material at or near the edge, wherein the adhesive material is compatible with skin; and wherein the face mask is removable and disposable. 